Methods and apparatus for funding transactions using debit cards issued by one institution and funds from accounts at other institutions

ABSTRACT

Methods, apparatus, and systems for funding transactions disclosed herein may operate to: receive, for a transaction, a request to debit a first amount from a primary funding source; determine that a second amount of funds available from the primary funding source is less than the first amount requested for the transaction; compare a maximum backup funding amount with a total amount debited from a backup funding source to fund previous transactions associated with the primary funding source, with the maximum backup funding amount being previously set as an amount available from the backup funding source; and to provide an indication that at least part of a difference between the first amount and the second amount can be drawn from the backup funding source based on determining that the total amount has not reached the maximum backup funding amount.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/763,983 filed on Apr. 20, 2010, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.8,249,987, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/050,631 filed Mar. 18, 2008, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,765,154,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/432,840filed on May 12, 2006, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,702,559, all ofwhich applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

LIMITED COPYRIGHT WAIVER

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patentfiles or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever. Copyright 2008, eBay, Inc.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to the field of financial transactionprocessing and more particularly to the field of financial systems thatprovide backup funding.

BACKGROUND

In today's high-technology economy, banks, credit card companies, andother financial institutions provide various facilities for enablingtheir account holders to fund transactions. For example, banks providechecks, debit cards, and electronic drafting to enable their accountholders to pay for goods, services, and other transactions. Similarly,credit card companies provide their account holders with credit cardsfor funding transactions online, in retail stores, over the telephone,or in other ways. However, even though account holders have many paymentmethods at their disposal, they are often concerned about having enoughmoney/credit in their accounts to complete their transactions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the Figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a dataflow diagram illustrating dataflow and operations in asystem for providing backup funding in financial transactions, accordingto example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a backup funding systemarchitecture, according to example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for configuring afinancial account to use backup funding sources that are associated withdifferent financial institutions, according to example embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for acquiring backupfunding for a financial transaction, according to example embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for processingauthorizations and settlement requests as part of an acquisition ofbackup funding, according to example embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for performing a riskanalysis as part of an acquisition of backup funding, according toexample embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for collecting backupfunds before paying a financial transaction, according to exampleembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for selecting betweendifferent backup funding sources, according to example embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for processing creditsassociated with transactions that used backup funding, according toexample embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary computer system used in conjunctionwith certain embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

This description of the embodiments describes methods and apparatus forfunding transactions. This description is divided into five sections.The first section provides an introduction, while the second sectiondescribes an example system architecture. The third section describesexample operations and the fourth section describes an example systemarchitecture. The fifth section presents some general comments.

Introduction

Many financial institutions offer their account holders debit cards foruse in paying for goods and services. When an account holder attempts tofund a transaction using a debit card, the account holder's financialinstitution determines whether the account holder's account balance isless than the transaction amount. If the account does not have enoughmoney to cover the transaction, the account holder's financialinstitution may deny the transaction. However, embodiments of theinvention enable account holders to configure their accounts to drawfrom one or more backup funding sources when their accounts do not haveenough money to cover debit transactions. The backup funding sources caninclude credit lines, credit cards, checking accounts, savings accounts,or any other funding source. The backup funding sources can beassociated with different financial institutions. For example, assumethat an account holder has a debit account at First National Bank and acredit account at Mega Bank, where First National Bank and Mega Bank aretwo different financial institutions. In one embodiment, the accountholder can configure the First National Bank debit account to acquirebackup funding from the Mega Bank credit account.

In various embodiments, an apparatus, system and method may operate to:receive, for a transaction, a request to debit a first amount from aprimary funding source; determine that a second amount of fundsavailable from the primary funding source is less than the first amountrequested for the transaction; compare a maximum backup funding amountwith a total amount debited from a backup funding source to fundprevious transactions associated with the primary funding source, withthe maximum backup funding amount being previously set as an amountavailable from the backup funding source; and to provide an indicationthat at least part of a difference between the first amount and thesecond amount can be drawn from the backup funding source based ondetermining that the total amount has not reached the maximum backupfunding amount. More information regarding various embodiments thatemploy this funding mechanism or other funding mechanisms is providedbelow with respect to FIGS. 1-10.

FIG. 1 is a dataflow diagram illustrating dataflow and operations in asystem for providing backup funding in financial transactions, accordingto example embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 1, the system 100includes an online retail server 102, account server 104, and backupfunding server 106. As shown in FIG. 1, the account server 104 processesaccount transactions associated with a first financial institution,while a backup funding server 106 processes account transactionsassociated with a second financial institution.

The dataflow and operations occur in three stages. During stage one, aconsumer initiates a transaction in which the consumer uses a debit cardassociated with a debit account to purchase goods from an online retailweb site. For example, a consumer who has a $75 debit account balance atthe first financial institution buys retail goods for $100. The consumeralso has a $500 credit line at a second financial institution, whichuses the backup funding server 106 to process its credit linetransactions. As part of the transaction, the online retail server 102transmits a funding request 108 (e.g., for $100) to the account server104.

During stage two, the account server 104 determines that the consumer'saccount balance (e.g. $75) will not be enough to pay for the goods. As aresult, the account server 104 acquires backup funds 112 (i.e., $25)from the backup funding server 106. As noted above, the account server104 and backup funding server 106 each process account transactions fordifferent financial institutions.

During stage three, the account server 104 transmits funding approval110 to the online retail server 102. After receiving funding approval,the online retail server 102 approves the sale of goods to the consumer.

The following sections describe these and other features of theembodiments.

Example System Architecture

This section describes an example system architecture. Operationsperformed by embodiments of the system architecture will be described ingreater detail in the next section.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a backup funding systemarchitecture, according to example embodiments of the invention. In FIG.2, the backup funding system architecture 200 includes a network 208connected to a merchant computer 202, account holder workstation 204,and automated teller machine (ATM) 206. The network 208 is alsoconnected to an account server 212 and backup funding servers 218 and222.

The account server 212 includes an account information unit 215, abackup funding unit 214, and a transaction processor 216. The accountinformation unit 215 can include information about account holders(e.g., name, address, telephone number, etc.), account balances, andbackup funding configuration information. The transaction processor 216can process funding requests received from the merchant computer 202,account holder workstation 204, and ATM machine 206. The backup fundingunit 214 can inter alia 1) configure accounts to use backup fundingassociated with different financial institutions; 2) acquire backupfunding from funding sources associated with the different financialinstitutions; and 3) enable account holders to make transaction-timedecisions about backup funding sources.

The backup funding servers 218 and 222 include backup funding accountinformation 221 and 225 and backup funding processors 220 and 224. Thebackup funding account information 221 and 225 can include informationabout credit accounts, bank accounts, or other accounts from whichbackup funds can be drawn. In one embodiment, the backup funding accountinformation 221 and 225 can include account holder information (e.g.,name, address, etc.), account holder credit limits, and any othersuitable account information. The backup funding processors 220 and 224can process and update the backup funding account information 221 and225. Additionally, the backup funding processors 220 can also processbackup funding requests for transactions associated with the accountserver 212.

The network 208 can include wired and/or wireless communication links,which can employ any suitable connection technology, such as Bluetooth,802.11, Ethernet, public switched telephone networks, SONET, etc In oneembodiment, any of the components of the system architecture 200 caninclude hardware, firmware, and/or software for performing theoperations described herein. Software can be stored on machine-readablemedia, which include any mechanism that provides (i.e., stores and/ortransmits) information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a wageringgame machine, computer, etc.). For example, tangible machine-readablemedia includes read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM),magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memorymachines, etc. Machine-readable media also includes any media suitablefor transmitting software over a network.

Example Operations

This section describes operations performed by embodiments of theinvention. In the discussion below, the flow diagrams will be describedwith reference to the block diagrams presented above. However, in someembodiments, the operations can be performed by components differentfrom those shown in the block diagrams. In certain embodiments, theoperations are performed by executing instructions residing onmachine-readable media (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, theoperations are performed by hardware and/or other logic (e.g.,firmware). In some embodiments the operations are performed in series,while in other embodiments, the operations can be performed in parallel.

This section presents FIGS. 3-9. This section will continue with adiscussion of FIG. 3, which describes how an account can use backupfunding sources that are associated with different financialinstitutions.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for configuring afinancial account to use backup funding sources that are associated withdifferent financial institutions, according to example embodiments ofthe invention. The flow diagram 300 will be described with reference tothe system architecture shown in FIG. 2. The flow begins at block 302.

At block 302, an account server's backup funding unit 214 determinesthat an account is to have a backup funding source. In one embodiment,the backup funding unit 214 presents a web page or other interfacethrough which an account holder can configure an account's backupfunding options. The backup funding unit 214 can present the interfaceon the account holder workstation 204, ATM machine 206, merchantcomputer 202, or other suitable device. The flow continues at block 304.

At block 304, the account server's backup funding unit 214 receives anindication of one or more backup funding sources, which can beassociated with different financial institutions. In one embodiment, thebackup funding unit 214 receives a webpage or other indicia indicatingone or more backup funding sources. The backup funding sources caninclude credit lines, bank accounts, and any other suitable moneysource. In one embodiment, the account can be accessed by multiple debitcards and different backup funding sources can be configured for eachdebit card. In one embodiment, the backup funding servers 218 and 222provide access to the backup funding sources. In one embodiment, if theaccount holder is not already qualified for certain backup fundingsources, the backup funding unit 214 presents an interface through whichthe account holder can apply for and acquire backup funding sources. Theflow continues at block 306.

At block 306, if needed, the backup funding unit 214 determines amaximum backup funding limit. For example, the backup funding unit 214contacts the backup funding sources to establish maximum backup fundinglimits. In one embodiment, the account holder can specify a maximumbackup funding limit for each backup funding source. The flow continuesat block 308.

At block 308, the backup funding unit 214 links the account to theselected backup funding sources. After the account is linked to thebackup funding sources, if a fund request exceeds the account balance,the backup funding unit 214 can attempt to acquire the needed funds fromone or more of the backup sources. In one embodiment, linking theaccount to the selected backup funding source includes storinginformation for accessing to the backup funding source. The accessinformation can include an account number for the backup funding source,an expiration date for the backup funding source, an account holderusername and password for the backup funding source, and/or a routingnumber for the backup funding source. From block 308, the flow ends.

While FIG. 3 describes operations for configuring an account's backupfunding sources, this section continues with a discussion about howbackup funding can be acquired in the course of a payment transaction.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for acquiring backupfunding for a financial transaction, according to example embodiments ofthe invention. The flow 400 begins at block 402.

At block 402, the account server's transaction processor 216 receives arequest for funds from an account. For example, the transactionprocessor 216 receives a request for $150. The request for funds can bepart of an in-store retail sale, online retail sale, ATM accountwithdrawal, or any other transaction requiring funds to be drawn from anaccount serviced by the account server 212. In one embodiment, therequest for funds originates at the merchant computer 202, ATM machine206, or the online retail server 207. The flow continues at block 404.

At block 404, the transaction processor 216 determines that the accounthas a balance less than the requested amount. For example, thetransaction processor 216 determines that the account balance is $100,while the funds request is for $150. The flow continues at block 406.

At block 406, the transaction processor 216 determines that the accountis associated with one or more backup funding sources from one or moreother financial institutions. In one embodiment, the transactionprocessor 216 makes this determination based on information in theaccount information unit 215, where the information specifies one ormore backup funding sources associated with the account. As noted above,the backup funding sources can be credit lines, bank accounts, or otherfinancial accounts available from different financial institutions. Inone embodiment, the backup funding servers 218 and 222 and the accountserver 212 are operated by different financial institutions (i.e.,different business entities). From block 406, the flow continues at “A”.

In one embodiment, “A” flows into block 502 of FIG. 5. This discussionwill move-on to the operations shown in FIG. 5, which describe howembodiments obtain authorization from backup funding sources.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for processingauthorizations and settlement requests as part of an acquisition ofbackup funding, according to example embodiments of the invention. InFIG. 5, the flow 500 moves from “A” to block 502.

At block 502, the account server's backup funding unit 214 obtainsauthorization for a backup funding amount of at least the differencebetween the account balance and the requested amount. In one embodiment,the account server's backup funding unit 214 receives the authorizationfrom a financial institution that is different from the one operatingthe account server 212. In continuing the example from above ($100account balance and $150 funds request), the backup funding unit 214obtains authorization for backup funding in an amount of $50. In oneembodiment, the backup funding unit 214 obtains the backup fundingamount from one of the backup funding servers 218 or 222, each of whichis associated with a financial institution different from that of theaccount server 212. The flow continues at block 504.

At block 504, an account server's transaction processor 216 transmits tothe requestor an authorization for amount requested at block 402. In oneembodiment (not shown), the backup funding unit 214 may not receiveauthorization for the backup funding amount (see discussion of block502). If the backup funding unit 214 does not obtain authorization forthe backup funding amount, the transaction processor 216 transmits tothe requestor a denial associated with the requested amount. The flowcontinues at block 506.

At block 506, an account server's transaction processor 216 receives arequest for a settlement amount. In one embodiment, the request for thesettlement amount is associated with the authorization for the requestedfunds from block 402 and is received from the merchant computer 202,online retail server 207, or other suitable computer. In one embodiment,the request for the settlement amount is received after a period of timehas passed. For example, the request for the settlement amount isreceived at the end of the business day. In one embodiment, if therequest for the settlement amount is not received within a specifiedamount of time (e.g. 10 days), the authorization from block 402 isreleased. The settlement amount can differ from the requested amount(see block 402). In one embodiment, if the settlement is greater thanthe requested amount, the account server's backup funding unit 214acquires additional funds from the backup funding source. From block 506the flow continues at B, which continues into block 408 of FIG. 4.

This discussion will now follow the flow back to FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4, at block 408, the account server's transaction processor 216provides the settlement amount (see discussion of block 506) to therequester. In continuing the example from above, the transactionprocessor 216 provides $150 to the merchant computer 202. The flowcontinues at block 410.

At block 410, the backup funding unit 214 determines whether thesettlement amount is greater than the account balance. If the settlementamount is greater than the account balance, the flow continues at block412. Otherwise, the flow continues at block 416.

In certain scenarios, the account server 212 may not need to use backfunding for which it is authorized to use. One such scenario occurs whenan account holder deposits funds into the account after the backupfunding authorization is received (502), but before the backup funds arecollected (414). If the deposit makes the account balance greater thanthe settlement amount, the account server 212 will not use the backupfunds. Otherwise the account server 212 will use only enough backupfunding to settle the transaction.

At block 412, the backup funding unit 214 requests a backup fundingamount equal to at least the difference between the account balance andthe requested amount. In one embodiment, the backup funding source isheld on one of the backup funding servers 218 or 222, which is operatedby a different financial institution. The flow continues at block 414.

At block 414, the backup funding unit 214 receives the backup fundingamount from one of the backup funding servers 218 or 222. The flowcontinues at block 416.

At block 416, the transaction processor 216 debits the account for thesettlement amount. In one embodiment, the transaction processor 216updates information in the account information unit 215 to reflect thedebit. From block 416, the flow ends.

As discussed above, the flow 400 of FIG. 4 moves through block “A”. Inone embodiment, “A” flows into FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for performing a riskanalysis as part of an acquisition of backup funding, according toexample embodiments of the invention. The flow diagram 600 will bedescribed with reference to the system architecture of FIG. 2. The flowbegins at block 602.

At block 602, an account server's transaction processor 216 performs arisk analysis for the transaction. In one embodiment, the risk analysisis based on a transaction time (e.g., time of day), a transactionamount, account holder history (e.g., number of account overdrafts,average account balance, etc.), or other suitable criteria. From block602, the flow continues at block 604.

At block 604, the account server's transaction processor 216, transmitsan authorization to the requestor based on a favorable risk analysis. Inone embodiment, if the account server's transaction processor 216 gets anegative result from the risk analysis, the account server's transactionprocessor 216 transmits a denial. From block 604, the flow continues atblock 606.

At block 606, the account server's transaction processor 216 receives arequest for a settlement amount. In one embodiment, the request isreceived from merchant computer 202 or online retail server 207. Fromblock 606, the flow continues at B, which flows into block 408 of FIG.4.

While FIGS. 3-6 describe embodiments that postpone collection of backupfunding until after making payment on a transaction, FIG. 7 describes anembodiment that collects backup funds before paying a transaction.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for collecting backupfunds before paying a financial transaction, according to exampleembodiments of the invention. The flow diagram 700 will be describedwith reference to the system architecture shown in FIG. 2. The flowbegins at block 702.

At block 702, the account server's transaction processor 216 receives arequest for funds from an account. In one embodiment, the request isfrom a merchant who is selling goods to an account holder (e.g., theonline retail server 207). In another embodiment, the request is fromthe account holder via an ATM machine. The flow continues at block 704.

At block 704, the account server's transaction processor 216 determinesthat the account has a balance less than the specified amount. The flowcontinues at block 706.

At block 706, the account server's transaction processor 216 determinesthat the account is associated with a backup funding source at anotherfinancial institution. Although not shown, in one embodiment, if theaccount server's transaction processor 216 determines that the accountis not associated with a backup funding source, the account server'stransaction processor 216 denies the request to debit the specifiedamount from the account. The flow continues at block 708.

At block 708, the account server's backup funding unit 214 requests abackup funding amount equal to at least the difference between theaccount balance and the specified amount. In one embodiment, the backupfunding source is held on one of the backup funding servers 218 or 222,which is operated by a different financial institution. In oneembodiment, if the backup funding amount exceeds a maximum backupfunding amount associated with the backup funding source, the backupfunding unit will not request the backup funding. The flow continues atblock 710.

At block 710, the account server's backup funding unit 214 receives thebackup funding amount. In one embodiment, the account server's backupfunding unit 214 notifies (e.g., via email, instant message, telephonemessage, etc.) the account holder that the backup funding source hasbeen used. The flow continues at block 712.

At block 712, the account server's transaction processor 216 providesthe requested amount. In one embodiment, the requested amount isprovided to a merchant or to the account holder via an ATM machine. Inone embodiment (not shown), if the financial institution holding thebackup funding source denies the request for the backup funding amount,the account server's transaction unit will deny the request to debit thespecified amount from the account. From block 712, the flow ends.

While FIGS. 4-7 describe operations for acquiring backup funding, FIG. 8describes operations for enabling an account holder to select differentbackup funding sources. The operations for selecting different backupfunding sources can be used in concert with operations for acquiringbackup funding or they can be used separately.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for selecting betweendifferent backup funding sources, according to example embodiments ofthe invention. The flow diagram 800 will be described with reference tothe system architecture shown in FIG. 2. The flow begins at block 802.

At block 802, an account server's backup funding unit 214 presents anoption to change a backup funding source associated with an account. Forexample, in an online retail transaction in which an account holder ismaking payment with a debit card, the backup funding unit 214 presents apayment interface (e.g., a web page) that allows the account holder toselect a new backup funding source for that retail transaction.Alternatively, the backup funding unit 214 can present the paymentinterface anytime after the transaction processor 216 determines thatbackup funding is needed and that the account is associated with backupfunding (e.g., after block 406 of FIG. 4). In one embodiment, theaccount holder can select between previously verified bank accounts,previously verified credit card accounts, and previously verified linesof credit. The flow continues at block 804.

At block 804, the account server's backup funding unit 214 receives aselection indicating a new backup funding source. For example, thebackup funding unit 214 receives a backup funding source selectionthrough the payment interface presented at block 802. In one embodiment,the buyer can select more than one backup funding source. From block804, the flow continues at block 806.

At block 806, the account server's backup funding unit 214 changes theaccount's backup funding source based on the selection. In oneembodiment, the backup funding unit 214 modifies information in theaccount information unit 215 to reflect the newly selected backupfunding source. From block 806, the flow ends.

The discussion so far has been mostly about how embodiments of thesystem architecture can configure accounts and acquire backup fundingfor financial transactions. This section will continue with a discussionof how embodiments can process credits (e.g., returns, chargebacks,etc.) associated with transactions for which backup funding has beenused. For example, this section will describe how embodiments of thesystem architecture may process a $100 credit associated with atransaction that drew $75 from an account and $25 from a backup fundingsource.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating operations for processing creditsassociated with transactions that used backup funding, according toexample embodiments of the invention. The flow diagram 900 will bedescribed with reference to the system architecture shown in FIG. 2. Theflow begins at block 902.

At block 902, the account server's transaction processor 216 receives arequest to credit an account, where the credit is associated with atransaction for which a backup funding source was used. The creditrequest can result from a chargeback, return, refund, etc. The flowcontinues at block 904.

At block 904, the account server's transaction processor 216 credits theaccount in the amount specified in the credit request. The flowcontinues at block 906.

At block 906, the account server's backup funding unit 214 determineshow much of the credit was a backup funding amount received from abackup funding source held at another financial institution. In oneembodiment, the account server's backup funding unit 214 makes thisdetermination based on transaction information stored in the accountinformation unit 215. The flow continues at block 908.

At block 908, the account server's backup funding unit 214 debits theaccount with the backup funding amount and sends the backup fundingamount to the backup funding source. In one embodiment, the accountserver's backup funding unit 214 begins a new credit transaction withthe backup funding source. Alternatively, the account server's backupfunding unit 214 can reverse the previous transaction with the backupfunding source. In one embodiment, the account server's backup fundingunit 214 transmits a notification (e.g., email, voicemail, instantmessage, etc.) indicating that the backup funding source was credited.From block 910, the flow ends.

Example Server/Workstation

This section describes an example computer architecture that can be usedwith embodiments of the system architecture described above. Forexample, embodiments of the backup funding servers, account servers, ATMmachines, etc. can utilize the following computer architecture.

FIG. 10 illustrates a computer architecture, according to exampleembodiments of the invention. In FIG. 10, computer system 1000 comprisesprocessor(s) 1002, memory unit 1030, processor bus 1022, andInput/Output controller hub (ICH) 1024. The processor(s) 1002, memoryunit 1030, and ICH 1024 are coupled to the processor bus 1022. Theprocessor(s) 1002 may comprise any suitable processor architecture. Thecomputer system 1000 may comprise one, two, three, or more processors,any of which may execute a set of instructions in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

The memory unit 1030 stores data and/or instructions, and may compriseany suitable memory, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), forexample. The computer system 1000 also includes IDE drive(s) 1008 and/orother suitable storage devices. A graphics controller 1004 controls thedisplay of information on a display device 1006, according toembodiments of the invention.

The input/output controller hub (ICH) 1024 provides an interface to I/Odevices or peripheral components for the computer system 1000. The ICH1024 may comprise any suitable interface controller to provide for anysuitable communication link to the processor(s) 1002, memory unit 1030and/or to any suitable device or component in communication with the ICH1024. For one embodiment of the invention, the ICH 1024 providessuitable arbitration and buffering for each interface.

For one embodiment of the invention, the ICH 1024 provides an interfaceto one or more suitable integrated drive electronics (IDE) drives 1008,such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or compact disc read only memory (CDROM) drive, or to suitable universal serial bus (USB) devices throughone or more USB ports 1010. For one embodiment, the ICH 1024 alsoprovides an interface to a keyboard 1012, a mouse 1014, a CD-ROM drive1018, one or more suitable devices through one or more firewire ports1016. For one embodiment of the invention, the ICH 1024 also provides anetwork interface 1020 though which the computer system 1000 cancommunicate with other computers and/or devices.

In one embodiment, the computer system 1000 includes a machine-readablemedium that stores a set of instructions (e.g., software) embodying anyone, or all, of the methodologies for configuring and providing backupfunding for financial transactions. Furthermore, software can reside,completely or at least partially, within memory unit 1030 and/or withinthe processor(s) 1002.

General

This description describes numerous details about the embodiments.However, some embodiments can be practiced without these details. Insome instances, this description has left-out well-known circuits,structures, and techniques in order to not obscure embodiments of theinvention. In this description, references to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” mean that the feature being referenced is included in atleast one embodiment of the invention. Separate references to “oneembodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and theembodiments are not mutually exclusive, unless so stated. Thus, thepresent invention can include any variety of combinations of theembodiments described herein.

1. A method comprising: receiving, for a transaction, a request to debita first amount from a primary funding source; determining that a secondamount of funds available from the primary funding source is less thanthe first amount requested for the transaction; comparing, using one ormore processors, a maximum backup funding amount with a total amountdebited from a backup funding source to fund previous transactionsassociated with the primary funding source, the maximum backup fundingamount being previously set as an amount available from the backupfunding source; and providing an indication that at least part of adifference between the first amount and the second amount can be drawnfrom the backup funding source based on determining that the totalamount has not reached the maximum backup funding amount.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: providing another indication that noamount can be drawn from the backup funding source based on determiningthat the total amount has reached the maximum backup funding amount. 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining, from a financialinstitution associated with the backup funding source, authorization tofund the at least part of the difference from the backup funding source.4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: presenting an option tochange the backup funding source or to add a new backup funding sourceto fund at least part of the first amount.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising: enabling an owner of the primary funding source toselect whether the backup funding source will be used to fund at leastpart of the first amount.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the backupfunding source comprises a first backup funding source and a secondbackup funding source, further comprising: prioritizing an order of thefirst and second backup funding sources to be used.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: performing a risk analysis associated withat least one of the primary funding source or the backup funding sourceto allow funding using the backup funding source.
 8. The method of claim1, further comprising: crediting the backup funding source using atleast part of the second amount.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein thecrediting comprises: receiving a deposit to the primary funding source.10. The method of claim 9, wherein the crediting comprises: enabling anowner of the primary funding source to set at least a portion of thedeposit as available to credit the backup funding source.
 11. Anapparatus comprising: one or more processors to execute a backup fundingmanagement module, the backup funding management module configured to:receive, for a transaction, a request to debit a first amount from aprimary funding source; determine that a second amount of fundsavailable from the primary funding source is less than the first amountrequested for the transaction; compare a maximum backup funding amountwith a total amount debited from a backup funding source to fundprevious transactions associated with the primary funding source, themaximum backup funding amount being previously set as an amountavailable from the backup funding source; and provide an indication thatat least part of a difference between the first amount and the secondamount can be drawn from the backup funding source based on determiningthat the total amount has not reached the maximum backup funding amount.12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the backup funding managementmodule is configured to: provide another indication that no amount canbe drawn from the backup funding source based on determining that thetotal amount has reached the maximum backup funding amount.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the primary funding source is associatedwith a first financial institution and the backup funding source isassociated with a second financial institution different from the firstfinancial institution.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the backupfunding management module is configured to: modify configurations of thebackup funding source.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the backupfunding management module is configured to: modify the maximum backupfunding amount.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the backupfunding source comprise a first backup funding source and a secondbackup funding source, wherein the backup funding management module isconfigured to: prioritize an order of the first and second backupfunding sources to be used.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thebackup funding management module is configured to: receive the requestto debit the first amount, via a network, from at least one of a firstdevice corresponding to a merchant, a second device corresponding to abuyer, or a third machine corresponding to a third party financialinstitution.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the primary fundingsource comprises a debit account.
 19. The apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe backup funding source comprises at least one of a checking account,a savings account, a credit card account, a home equity loan account ora student loan account.
 20. A non-transitory machine-readable storagedevice storing instruction that, when executed by one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to perform operationscomprising: receiving, for a transaction, a request to debit a firstamount from a primary funding source; determining that a second amountof funds available from the primary funding source is less than thefirst amount requested for the transaction; comparing a maximum backupfunding amount with a total amount debited from a backup funding sourceto fund previous transactions associated with the primary fundingsource, the maximum backup funding amount being previously set as anamount available from the backup funding source; and providing anindication that at least part of a difference between the first amountand the second amount can be drawn from the backup funding source basedon determining that the total amount has not reached the maximum backupfunding amount.